Motor controller



llg- 5. 1930 E. R. MRoss Er AL KOTOR CONTROLLER Filed March is, 192e 2 Sheets-Sheet l ug- 5, 1930. E. R. MRoss Er AL uoToR CONTROLLER Filed Ilarch 19, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 5, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENTy OFFICE EDWARD R. MROSS AND EMANUEL NIELSEN, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO HAMILTON BEACH MFG. C0., F RACINE, VKIISCONSIN.y A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN MOTOR CONTROLLER Application led March 19, 1928.

This invention relates to motor controllers adapted more particularly for controllino motors applied to sewing machines, althougn obviously it may be used to control motors ot other light machinery.

One ot the objects of the invention is to produce an exceedingly compact device, which may be used to rest upon the ioor and be toot operated and which, With very slight modil'ication, will be suitable for attachment to a sewing machine cabinet and be knee operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a movable contact arm, for engaging the .tine-d contacts of the resistance unit, which shall be pivotally mounted in the controller housing and be located within the housing, instead of being carried by the treadle plate which is necessarily exterior to the controller housing.

Our invention is shown as embodied in combination With a resistance unit of the type shown and described in United States Letters Patent No. 1,644,820, dated October 11,

' 1927. By the construction about to be described and claimed herein, the controller is materially reduced in size, is made very dependable in operation, is strong and durable and readily interchangeable as a foot or knee operated controller.

In that embodiment of our invention shown in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the in vention as embodied in a foot operated motor controller.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same with the upper housing plate removed.

Figure S is a side elevation of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse, vertical sectional view, taken in the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction `indicated by vthe arrows.

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the. movable contact arm and bracket by Which it is mounted in the controller housing.

Figure 6 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken in the plane of the line 6-6 of. Figure 7, looking in the direction kindicated by the arrows.

Serial No. 262,798.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the movable contact arm and bracket by which it is mounted in the housing.

Figure 8 is a vertical` sectional view taken in the plane ot the line 8-8 of Figure 9.

Figure 9 shows the controller of Figure 1 modified as to be adapted for connection to a cabinet and to be knee controlled.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive., the controller housing comprises a metallic base plate 10, upturned, longitudinal side Walls 11 and 12 integral with the base,` and an a-pertured cover plate 13 which forms the top and two end Walls of the housing. The latter is connected to the base plate by clips 14 which extend through slots 15. One end oli' the plate 13 is apertured, as indicated at 16, to accommodate the current Wires 17. The side Wall 12 is cut away, as indicated at 18'in Figures 1 and 3, for a purpose hereinafter referred to. The lower surface of the base member 10 is provided with a pair of fiat straps 19 to Which rubber feet 2O are attached.

llVithin the housing is a resistance unit of the type shown in Patent No. 1,644,820 aforementioned, Which will be briefly described as follows: A bracket 21 is secured b v screws 22 to the side Wall 12 and to an insulating block 23 to hold the latter in proper position in the controller housing. The block 23 is grooved to receive the resistance Wire 24 Wound thereon. One end of the resistance Wire 24, near the side Wall 11, is in contact With a stud 25 fixed in the block 23. Similar contact studs 26, arranged in alignment in. the block 23, engage the resistance Wire convolutions. An elongated Contact member 27, spaced from the resistance Wire 24 and also spaced from the studs 25, 2G, is mounted on the block 23 to be substantially parallel to the line of studs 25and 26.

To support a movable contact arm which is about to be described, When it is in inoperative positionr the block 23 is provided with a pair ot insulated studs 28, in the same horizontal plane as the studs 25 and 26. One end ot the resistance Wire 24 is connected to a post 29 and one end ot the fixed contact 27 is connected to a post 30; said posts 29 and being connected in an electrical circuit through the Wires 17.

The movable contact arm b v which the electrical lircuit may be completed, and by Which the resistance ma;Y be eut out of the ci cuit to a desired e2; ent, comprises a yielding arm 3l, nrovided at one end ivithi a movable contact member rllhe contact membe 32 slotted to receive t ie doivnturned end ot t ar n 8l. rthis construction insures intimate electrical con 'act between the Contact member 32 and the iixed contacts 2T and Q5, 2G. The Contact member is annular or offset in contour so that in moving sidevvise to open the circuit, the portion nearest the end ot the arm 3l Will disengage one end or" the Fixet contact 2T and open the circuit beik re the extreme end portion of the member 32 disengajes tl e fixed contact 25. Bv this construction arcing is practicallyY eliminated.

The means for inountinoj the movable contact arm 3l in the controller housing` Will now be described its Shown. in Figures 5. o the fiat end 33 ot the z rm 3l is rigidi;Y to a metal bracket Which is i f' ilat :l from by an insulating` block The 3ft is recessec1 both its upper* P and' faces, as indi ated at 35. to pre ent the ends oi the rin (S, b v Which the arm 3l is connected to the block, from contacting with the metal bracket, i nd to prevent the ends ot the rivets 37, by which the bracket is connected to the block, from contactingl with the metal or" the end ot the arm 3l.

The bracket to Whicl the block is conneeted comprises tivo hori.zontalllv dispoeed members 3S. integral Vith verti allg-r: arranged meml er el() having an aneular ezitension ll at one side. The upper horizontal member is elongated to irovide means i'or attachment t the block 3l and te thinly support he spring arm 3l. Each of the membes 3S, 39, is provid"d with an an ture L12 to receive the pivot i. n ein, one of which is secured in the base l0 and the other end in the inturned ear which is formed ot part ot the metal cut avvay at 1S from the .si-,fle vvall l2. the ear eli-: being integral with the side viali l).

The bracliet member 3S apertured, in- 1vardljiY ot its pivotal connection f to receive one end or" the coiled Spring the other end of Which is connected to sirucl: out loon /i-G on the side ot the asino ivall il. The spring` functions to norn'ialljr hold the bracket and movable contact arm in the nosition ,shown in Figure 2. v-:ith the cont-act member out ot Contact `vvith the fired contact points ot the resistance unit.

The arrangement shovfn and deecribed is such that the re istanee unit, moval'ile contact arm. and the means tor mounting` Same tirmlv but movahlv. are all located entiielv Within the controller lieueinff` the onli7 evposed portion being the extension 4l ot the l racket bv means ot vfnich the buaclet and connected contact arm are moved against the tension of the spring -li in the AAianner about to be explained.

Mounted on top oi is a treadle plate flat l and pio-video i.

the casii member 'i3 which is substantially i 'lljf extending tbstantially at LLin tltagainst poctively. EX-

arin 48,

a screw t .screws COl tion between ne ari: llx plato and the controller homing. Ane e 'in t (lanuc "l, anc ext" .longer than the other i loivniva di),Y :so ars to be oi 1, portion i@ ot the vall -2. t intnrned tiane'ef; at lower end, best .Jnres l. and 3. one ot which enhe cut away l has a pair ot shown in i i the ede@ ot 'the b the other contacts vv x n il of tie braclet member when tne treade plate is in normal position. rilhe parts are held in sa'd position bj; "on of tl e spring' --5 which causes the bear afi; Lnst maintainingthe tion. lllhen presen the treadle plate through the casino; opening l Xtension al on the bracket ing` the bracket to move l the horizontal member 3? cai ingr contact arm 3i across the against the tension ot 'the s the resistance is cnt out to tent. As soon as pr. .n released the parts return to i. or out of contact position.

lt Will be noted that onl ment ot the toot plate l to move the Contact i member on the end of the arm 3l across the hired contacts ot the resistance unit. s through the cci atruct on and arrangement oit the contact arm bracket ai l l its arm ll5). The plane ot movenie Contact arm is; substautia j to the plane in Which the ojfiera moved.

Referring1 novv to Figures 8 and 91 Which ehovv a linee operated cfmtroller` it ivill noted that the parte of the controller housingr corresponding` to the parts just described have been :similarly dey nated. The. interior coustruction is ident cal with that ot the Yfoot. operated controller. lu place ot the feet heretofore described. the base ot the knee con trol is provided With :dat metal ,cti-ape 5l apertured tor attachment; to the vertical side Wall ot the sewing` machine cabinet adjacent to the linee of the use n To the. free end oii 'LUG lli)

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the plate 47 is attached a knee control lever comprising a curved portion 52 and flat portion 53. The flat portion 53 is apertured and connected to the treadle plate 47 by a headed bolt 54 and nut 55. A sleeve 56 surrounds the bolt 54 and between the plate 47 and the nut 55 is a dished spring washer 57. Instead of a dished spring washer, a coiled spring may be used between the plate 47 and nut 55, such spring surroundingI the bolt 54 or sleeve 56, to form tension means. The plate 47 is preferably roughened or ribbed as indicated in Figure 8.

By the construction shown and described, the knee control lever 52, 53, is inovably mounted on the treadle plate 57 and has such frictional engagement therewith that itwill remain in any desired predetermined position. llVhen in use it is preferably turned downwardlyT as shown in 'full lines in Figure 9, and when not in use it may be moved to the position shown in dotted lines in said figure, where it will be out of sight. It the device, having the trcadle plate 47 and the adjustable lever 52, 53, is to be placed on the floor for foot opera-tion, the upwardly curved portion 2 is moved around to a position to overlie the treadle plate as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9. In this position the curved lever functions as a clip or stop to overlie and engage the toe of the operators shoe while rest-ingr on the treadle plate and thereby cooperates with the tieadle plate, insuring` more positive and accurate operation of the controller.

Obviously changes in details of construction may be made without departing from our inver-tion. For example. the offsc portion 32 of the contact arm 31 may be arranged to disengage the fixed contacts before diseng ging the elongated contact 27 in moving to inoperative position.

le claim as our invention:

1. A portable motor controller comprising a housing, an insulating block in the housing, a resistance carried by the block, fixed contacts associated with the block, an elongated movable arm having a contact member at one end for engagement with the fixed contacts, a bracket pivotally mounted in the housing, the end of the movable arm opposite the contact member end being secured on said bracket, means for normally holding the contact arm in inoperative position, a treadle plate pivotally mounted on the housing and means for causing said elongated arm to move across said fixed contacts by a slight movement ot the treadle plate, said means comprising an arm extending downwardly from the treadlo plate exterior of said housing and having a cam face entering the housing in engagement with the bracket to move the latter about its pivotal mounting in the housing when the treadle plate is depressed.

2. A motor controller comprising a housing, an insulating block in the housing, a resistance carried by the block, fixed contacts associated with the block, a movable contact arm adapted at one end for engagement with the fixed contacts, a bracket pivotally mounted in the housing and rigidly connected to the other end of said contact arm, said bracket having an outwardly directed extension protruding through an opening in the housing, tension means between the bracket and housing for normally holding the contact arm in inoperative position, and a treadle plate pivotally mounted externally of the housing and having a cam arm extending downwardly therefrom adjacent one side of the housing adapted to en gage said protruding part of the bracket to move the bracket about its pivotal connection in the housing when the plate is depressed.

A motor controller comprising a houshaving one of its side walls cut and bent to 'reim an opening therein and an ear extending inwardly 'from said wall, an insulating block in the housing, resistance carried by t lixed contacts associated therewith, contact arm adapted for engageone end with the fixed contacts, a y connected to the other end of .i contact arm and pivotally mounted lfetween the housing base and said inwardly extending ear, said bracket having nflicular lateral extension protruding f igh the housing opening, tension. means ormally holding the movable arm in init'ivo position, and a treadle plate pivexternally of the housing and a downwardly extending cam arm at `,ide of housing in engagement with id protruding extension, adapted to move the bracket about its pivotal connection in housing when the treadle plate is depresvd by the operator.

4. A. portable motor controllei` attachment for sewing machines, adapted to be pressure operated, compning a housing, insulatin block in the housing a resis ance carried b oi, otallv mounted @wird he block. fixed contacts associated with the block, an elongated movable arm having a Contact member at one end for engagement with. tl,e fixed contacts, a. bracket pivotally mounted in the housing, the end of the movable arin opposite the contact member end secured on said bracket, means for nori', holding the contact arm in inoperative ion, treadle plate pivotally mounted on 'ng and means for causing said elon- Yto move across said fixed contacts iffiit movement ot the treadle plate, 'fl ine/ans conipiisinga Cain arm extending c v irdly 'from the treadle plate near its pi oted end and in engagement with the bracketto move the latter about its pivotal mounting in the housing when the trcadle plate is depressed, l lever adapted to be knee-operated, the lever connected at one end to the free eno ol the treadle plate.

5. A portable motor controller attachment 'for sewing machines, adapted to be pressure .peratech comprising a housing, an insulating` block in the housing` a resistance carried by the block, fixed contacts associated With one block, an elongated movable arm having a contact member at one end for engagement with the fixed contacts, a bracket pivotally mounted in tl e housing, the end of the movable arm opposite the contact member end being` secured on said bracket, means tor normally holding the contact arm in iii-operative position, a treadle plate oivotalli.7 mounted on the housing and cani means for causing!l said elongated arm to move across said fixed contacts by a slight movement of the treadle plate, said means comprising' an arm extending downwardly from the treadle plate near its pivoted end and in engagement. With the bracket to move the latter about its pivotal mountingr in the housingT When the treadle plate is depressed, and a curved lever adapted to be knee-operated, movabl;7 connected at one end to the free end of the treadle plate, the free end of the knee-operated lever being,` spaced from the treadle plate when said lever and plate are in superposed posit-ion.

6. A rheostat comprising. a housing, a resistance element Within said housing', a bracket pivotallv mounted Within said housing having' a perpendicularlv extending1 lateral extension` a swing-ing contact arm secured on said bracket, means for holding said bracket and contact arm normally in inoperative position, and an operating member pivoted on said housing' and having a cam element engaging the lateral extension of said bracket.

7. A rheostat comprisinga housing, a resistance element Within said housing, a bracket pivotallyv mounted Within said housing having` a lateral extension, a swinging" Contact arm secured on said bracket, means for holdingr said bracket and contact arm normally in inoperative position, a lever pivoted atl one end on said housing,r and having an arm extending downWardlj.T adjacent its pivoted end into engagement with the lateral extension on the bracket, and a. curved lever pivotallv connected to the free end of the lirst mentioned lever, said curved lever being spaced from the pivotal lever when thej,T are in supel'posed relation.

n testimony, that We claim the foregoing as our invention We allix our signatures this 13th day of March` 1928.

EDWARD R. MBOSS. EMNUEL NIELSEN. 

